Re-Launch of Lit for Birth

This week were excited for the re-launch of Lit for Birth which was a program started by Jamell and me in 2017. As owners of Learn and Lead, and as parents us, we saw how easily language development and early literacy could fall through the cracks. We wanted to raise awareness on the importance of early steps that you can take to ensure your child has the best start possible.

Literacy from Birth, which we referred to as Lit from Birth, was a program that was launched in conjunction with InterHealth Canada. The nurses and midwives at IHC were trained on how to explain early language and literacy concepts to moms and provide them with a board book and a list of tips at the time of discharge. This program ran from June 2017 (the period of birth of our youngest) until April 2020 when we had to adjust to the challenges of COVID 19. In that period hundreds of books were given to moms and little ones in Providenciales and Grand Turk.

The Youth Help Foundation and United Way, with a little support from us, has taken over the reins of this program. We are grateful to see this program come to life again and want to encourage parents and caregivers to be intentional about stimulating language and literacy from birth.  90% of brain development occurs in the first 5 years of life, and we want to make sure we are creating environments where our little ones can thrive to their potential.

For more about the program, contact the Youth Help Organization. [email protected]